Genuine Montblanc fountain pen with converter?

[BoryStill]

Hello, dear FPGeeks community!

Have a question for you all, is this pen an original Montblanc or no? And if it is an original one, that model is that?

I have an opportunity to pick it up for a real good price, but that is thy it is suspicious


Thanks everybody in advance!

[jar]

There is no way to say it is authentic but I don't see any of the major signs that would say Fake. It would be a 144.

[Chrissy]

I've never seen a fake Meisterstück 144 with that type of feed, and such obvious iridium tipping on the nib, so I'm saying it's authentic.

Not all of the pictures are helpful. In order to be authentic it has to have a slip on cap and no screw threads for a cap on the section. We can't see enough of the pen section, and we can't see enough of the converter to say what it is.

These pens aren't that expensive, so your bargain price needs to be low.

[Blue Note]

I've never seen a fake Meisterstück 144 with that type of feed, and such obvious iridium tipping on the nib, so I'm saying it's authentic.

Not all of the pictures are helpful. In order to be authentic it has to have a slip on cap and no screw threads for a cap on the section. We can't see enough of the pen section, and we can't see enough of the converter to say what it is.

These pens aren't that expensive, so your bargain price needs to be low.

Yes, what is it that you consider a very good price?

[Chrissy]

Here in UK on ebay they seem to fetch £50 - £60 but you never know if they will need a Mb service because the cap is loose or the internal part of the cap is split.

Personally, I wouldn't go for a 144. I would go for a 145 instead. However, each to their own.

[KBeezie]

What the others said above, and as Chrissy stated, 145 seems nicer with the screw cap. My own personal preference would lean towards the older 1950s-1970s slimmer pens like the MontBlanc 220s, or the older Montblanc 14. Extremely unlikely you would see one of those as a fake, especially if they're piston fillers (like my 14 and 225), since likewise, you'll never see the larger 146/149 with a cartridge converter (if the barrel has to come off for either it's a fake).


PS: The easiest/best way to find out if the pen is real or not is to mail it off to MontBlanc for servicing/cleaning since if you got it for a very good price, the servicing cost wouldn't add much on and it would be cleaned and tuned back up to factory spec. But they would be able to tell you easily if it is fake or not since they would end up returning the pen with a letter declaring it a counterfeit (which can help in getting money back if you decided it wasn't worth the money to keep for novelty).

[BoryStill]

I have a chance to pick it up for around 30 US dollars, so, I am thinking it is a nice deal for a genuine 144)

[Chrissy]

Sorry but I don't know how much they go for on ebay.com.

As KB suggests, you could buy it and send it to Montblanc for a level 1 service, then get a reasonably priced pen in the end.

[KBeezie]

I have a chance to pick it up for around 30 US dollars, so, I am thinking it is a nice deal for a genuine 144)

Sorry but I don't know how much they go for on ebay.com.

As KB suggests, you could buy it and send it to Montblanc for a level 1 service, then get a reasonably priced pen in the end.

Seeing as they appear to be anywhere between $250 to $400 (depends on whose selling it, used condition, etc)

*IF* it were real, $30 plus the level 1 service, you would end up with a very good price for a 144, and could still make a tiny bit of a profit if you decide the 144 isn't for you and wish to resell with noting that it's been serviced by MontBlanc.

But at the same time, if it's not real $30 + postage to MontBlanc isn't a horrifying loss, especially if it's a functioning decent pent (and plus if you suspect the owner knew it was a fake, or even suspected it was fake you can use MontBlanc's response to get your money back). It's a matter of how much time/effort do you want to put into it.

If you're curious about pricing, this comment by Chrissy over on FPN 2 years ago might give you some idea (they could have changed their pricing over the last couple years but I suspect it'll still be in the ballpark)

I once received an email from the then Customer Service Manager at Montblanc HQ UK advising the prices. These have probably increased now.


Our current flat rate for the fountain pen models Meisterstück LeGrand 146
and Meisterstück 149 made of precious resin are in our service center in
Hamburg, Germany as follows:

flat rate 1 -> GBP 44,00 incl. VAT
flat rate 2 -> GBP 63,00 incl. VAT
flat rate 3 -> is for nib exchange , 146 -> GBP 209,00 incl. VAT /

149 ->GBP 231,00 incl. VAT


Limited Editions have always be examined physical in our service center
first.



At the time I was also advised on the phone about what was included in each level, but it wasn't in the email. I remember level 2 includes everything except a nib and level 3 includes everything as well as a nib but I don't know exactly where level 1 stopped. If my memory serves me correctly there was mention of a clip and a nib being excluded from level 1. I know everything made from 'precious resin' was definitely included in level 1 if it needed replacement, and that includes a cap.

The Service 1 and 2 prices would be roughly 60 and 85 USD at today's exchange rate and may be lower for a 144 model.

Service Level 2 by the way will replace the clip and cap ring/section/etc where there is wear or loss of plating.

[Chrissy]

I just went onto ebay.com and had a look at Montblanc 144 sold listings showing lowest price including shipping first. They started at $71 and increased gradually.

Ebay sellers might list them at $250 to $400 but it's what they eventually sell them at that really counts.

Montblanc service prices have increased over the years but not by very much, and the 144 will cost less to service than the 146 and the 149.

My Mozart Bordeaux had a new cap and section plus internal cap clutch and only cost me £40 this year.

[KBeezie]

I just went onto ebay.com and had a look at Montblanc 144 sold listings showing lowest price including shipping first. They started at $71 and increased gradually.

Ebay sellers might list them at $250 to $400 but it's what they eventually sell them at that really counts.

Montblanc service prices have increased over the years but not by very much, and the 144 will cost less to service than the 146 and the 149.

My Mozart Bordeaux had a new cap and section plus internal cap clutch and only cost me £40 this year.

Good point about the sold listings. Also I feel like the 144 is also more likely to be counterfeited besides the Classique with the converter option being common to that model. Still feels like a win in my opinion if ends up getting it for $30 USD, and service adds about 50 USD or less, and you'd end up with the starting-ish price of them on eBay but with it being serviced.

[Chrissy]

You're right. It would end up being a good price for a serviced pen, and most old 144's will need a service on the cap if nothing else.

I have a fake and it's easy to spot it's a fake. It has a screw on cap for a start....

I've started using it for Diamine Shimmer inks. I leave an ink in there for weeks as an experiment.

[BoryStill]

so, the conclusion is - it is a real MOntblanc 144?

Thanks!

[BoryStill]

so, this is a real Montblanc 144, right?

Thanks

[jar]

so, this is a real Montblanc 144, right?

Thanks

No, what we are all saying is that it is not an obvious fake. There is no way any of us can say that it is a real Montblanc.

[KBeezie]

so, this is a real Montblanc 144, right?

Thanks

No, what we are all saying is that it is not an obvious fake. There is no way any of us can say that it is a real Montblanc.

:P What we said in the thread, is you can get it, send it off to MontBlanc, *THEN* You'll know if it's real or not, it's a gamble until it gets back from MontBlanc themselves.

[Kulprit]

Tier1 Service is currently $119, including return shipping, if my memory is correct.


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[KBeezie]

Tier1 Service is currently $119, including return shipping, if my memory is correct.


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For which pen? (it varies by model, and as Crissy said a 144 is going to be cheaper than a 149 or limited edition to service) , and how old is the memory?

[Kulprit]

I had a 149 serviced earlier today his year.


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[Chrissy]

Tier1 Service is currently $119, including return shipping, if my memory is correct.


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As already discussed, there is not a level one service price for all models. It's probably a 149 or LE price